ScotRail workers begin indefinite strike

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ScotRail workers begin indefinite strike

TSSA members working for ScotRail as driver team managers today begin indefinite industrial action over attempts to force them to drive trains.

The union is concerned this will leave the driver management role uncovered and cause more problems for ScotRail, and their passengers, down the line as driver managers are supposed to carry out driver training.

TSSA general secretaryManuel Cortes said: “ScotRail know that from today, trains will be cancelled as our members exercise their lawful right to take part in industrial action but rather than engage in meaningful negotiations, they chose to issue threats to our members. They should be hanging their heads in shame as this kind of behaviour has no place in 21st Century industrial relations.

“This is entirely a dispute of their making. Firstly, by failing to recruit enough drivers, in an effort to make a quick profit. When ScotRail realised they’d need our members to make up for their shortfall they chose to impose changes on our members rather than negotiate with them.

“Every step of the way we have asked them to engage in meaningful negotiations and at every step they have sought to cut us out. They are a disgrace to our railways.

“We wish it hadn’t come to this. Our union has always campaigned for ScotRail passengers to be given a decent, reliable service. But ScotRail’s bungling management have brought us to this point.

“At this point, Transport Secretary Matheson should step in and order Abellio ScotRail to get back round the negotiating table with us. We are willing to meet with them, anytime, anywhere and we are willing to suspend our action, just as soon as they are willing to guarantee our members won’t be forced to drive trains.”